U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan presents an initiative to foster innovation in the educational system.
Tag Archives: Culture & Society
This year marks a new language shift in how English speakers use pronouns
The use of “they” as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun has been growing recently. But the 2015 Word of the Year has a surprisingly long history.
Nature Studies: Is it possible to put a price on nature? And if we can, should we?
Environmental columnist Michael McCarthy expresses his uncertainty about a question posed at a high-profile debate.
A Civil War journal, up close and personal
An American literature class at California University of Pennsylvania recently undertook the digital transcription of a journal written by a Civil War soldier. The task required them to decipher a text that was not only faded, but written in a style of English different from what we speak today.
A Better Way to Talk About Faith
Religious traditions that bring some people together may drive a wedge between others. An organization called Interfaith Youth Core is working to bring together people of all faiths and none to focus on their shared tenets instead of their differences.
Up, Up, and Oy Vey!
An old joke goes that if you meet a guy whose name has “man” at the end, either he’s from a Jewish family or he’s a superhero. A rabbi digs into the Jewish roots of our most popular superheroes.
The World’s Oldest Papyrus and What It Can Tell Us About the Great Pyramids
A recently discovered treasure trove of papyri tells us more about ancient Egyptian life and culture. Read what a travel journal found with the other papyri reveals about the lives of everyday workers during the time period when the Pyramids were built at Giza.
Robert Frost’s Christmas Cards
Although these greeting cards started as a way to celebrate the winter season, poet Robert Frost was encouraged to continue them as an annual holiday tradition. Find out which of his famous poems were used as the verses for these unique cards that are collectors’ items today.
What Is Fashion?
Why do we wear what we wear? How is fashion a way of making your voice heard? This article on fashion provides insights into these questions.
Fighting Fiction with Facts: The BCN Anti-Rumor Campaign
To dispel misconceptions people hold without justification about their immigrant neighbors, the Barcelona City Council (BCN) recruited ‘anti-rumor agents,’ countering negative mindsets with the real facts and truths.
Perception vs. Reality: The Importance of Being Yourself on Social Media
Do you present yourself differently to different groups of people on social media? Why might this be?
Fr. Peter McVerry
Father Peter McVerry has been working tirelessly for over 40 years on behalf of young, homeless, vulnerable people in Dublin city, Ireland. He was recently awarded an honorary degree from Trinity College, Dublin, for his lifetime work for human rights.
Many benefits for teens who work during the school year, study finds
A survey that analyzed 250,000 young Canadians from age 15 into adulthood shows that there are a lot of long term benefits for teenagers who work during the school year.
English Speakers Increasingly Use Self-Centered Words Like ‘Get’ And ‘Choose’
A psychology professor at UCLA charted the frequency of certain words used in books published in a 200-year time span. Her findings reflect a shift from a rural, sharing society to an urban, individualistic society.
Mass Exodus From the Plains
During the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl led millions of people from the Plains states to move to California. Read about the migration and click some of the links in the menu on the left for other biographies, articles, and photo galleries that describe the time period.
Why it’s time for South Africa to take down its walls
In recent decades, South Africans who can afford it have erected ever more daunting walls around their homes to keep out crime. One South African writer argues that only removing or lowering the walls will improve the situation.
The Life of the Buddha
Read about the events of the Buddha’s early life that lead him to preaching about a different way of living.
A Video Library of Human Life Experiences
Read about the collaborative work of filmmakers, designers, and many other volunteers from around the world who are producing a video library called Global Lives Project. Click on the Global Lives Project link within the article to get a window into the very different lives of individuals from all around the world.
8 Life Lessons Which You Can Learn From Sport and Hobbies
The eight life lessons talked about in this article originate from the advice that a coach gives to some young boys who are learning hurling (a very popular Irish sport). The valuable life lessons underlying the skills of pastimes have an impact on our development as human beings.
As pope evokes nation of immigrants, a report shows it’s not reflected in Congress
A study by the Pew Research Center shows a lack of Congressional representatives who are immigrants, and some think that an increase in that number would lead to a better understanding of complex immigration issues.